Ohio State
No. 7 Penn State
Buckeyes Fall in Big Ten Opener at Penn State
2/10/2024 9:26:00 PM | General, Men's Gymnastics
Ohio State couldn’t overcome a slow start on Saturday in State College.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 6 Ohio State men's gymnastics team (7-2, 0-1 B1G) fell to No. 7 Penn State (10-3, 1-1 B1G) by a 407.500-399.300 margin on the road in the Buckeyes' Big Ten opener on Saturday.
Kameron Nelson began the meet with his first win of the season, tying his season-high 14.400 on floor by sticking his final pass, and earned his second event win of the day with a career-high 14.200 and a stuck dismount on rings. Jacob Harmon made his season debut with a win on high bar, scoring a career-high 13.950 with a stuck dismount.
How it Happened
Floor
The Buckeyes started with the team's second-highest floor score of the season (65.950). Behind Nelson's event win, Zach Snyder earned a 13.600 and Kazuki Hayashi had a 13.500. Justin Ciccone tied his season-best 13.300 by sticking his final pass and Kristian Grahovski rounded out the OSU lineup with an 11.150.
Pommel Horse
Ohio State combined for 59.850 on pommel horse. Tyler Rockwood led the Buckeyes with a 12.900, followed by Grahovski's 12.500. Michael Nguyen (11.800), Parker Thackston (11.650) and Jesse Pakele (11.000) also contributed to the team's pommel horse total.
Rings
The Buckeyes recorded their highest team score of the season with a 68.600. Behind Nelson's win, Ohio State swept the podium with Tyler Rockwood as the runner-up (career-high 14.100 with stuck dismount) and Donovan Hewitt in third (season-high 14.000). Arthur Ashton (13.500) and Jesse Pakele (12.800) rounded out the OSU lineup.
Vault
All five Buckeyes scored at least 14.000 on the vault to combine for 71.100. Nelson and Snyder tied for second, each earning 14.450. Hewitt (14.150), Ciccone (14.050) and Hayashi (14.000) also contributed to the team score.
Parallel Bars
Ohio State's 65.500 was its second-highest parallel bars score of the season. Rockwood led the Buckeyes with a career-high 14.000. Hayashi stuck his dismount for a season-best 13.700. Grahovski (12.800), Jakob Murray (12.500) and Christian Bartolini (12.500) wrapped up the Buckeyes' showing.
High Bar
The Buckeyes ended the meet with a team-best 68.300 on high bar. Behind Harmon's win, Caden Spencer finished second with a 13.900, also sticking his dismount. Hayashi got the stick as well, earning a season-best 13.750. Thackston's career-high 13.400 and Grahovski's 13.300 wrapped up the Buckeyes' lineup.
All-Around
Nelson competed in the all-around for the first time this season, earning a total of 76.800. In addition to his pair of wins and runner-up finish that counted for the team score, Nelson also scored 11.650 on pommel horse, 10.550 on parallel bars and 11.550 on high bar.
Up Next
Nelson will travel to Louisville for the 2024 Winter Cup on Feb. 23 and 25.
Ohio State hosts the NCAA Championships on April 19-20 inside the Covelli Center with the qualifiers on Friday and the Championships on Saturday. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased HERE for single session tickets and HERE for all-session tickets. All seating is general admission. View the full 2023-24 Ohio State men's gymnastics schedule HERE.
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